TOPAZ HORIZON

It's resurrected! After 2 months of ignoring my beauty and fashion blog, I've finally written a post--and I announce an exciting sale happening in less than 3 hours! Now I won't be able to go to that sale since my Friday's fully booked but I hope you get to check it out!

As for my beauty-and-fashion lover readers, do expect lots of posts from Beauty For A Living soon. It's my very own special site for all things beautiful... or would make you beautiful. Problems with acne? Expect some benzaclin reviews soon. Want to lighten skin pigmentation? I'm testing Mosbeau's whitening cream. What color's hot this month? I think it's a red October--from dresses and shoes to lipstick!

Hope you visit my revived blog! Click, click, click!

You know how some people book photo shoots for their Christmas cards? I used to giggle at them. Well, guess who just joined that silly crowd? Me!

This photo was taken by my sister, Jacqui, and it's now my Facebook profile pic. It's cute enough, I think, for photo cards but Vince isn't with us so no, can't use this. And the picture's too dark. And our outfits just won't do! Besides, by December, Vito's face is going to be much different. I guess I should just book a photo shoot in November.

Meanwhile, we're taking dozens upon dozens of shots of our little boy. This is him last Tuesday. Now, doesn't that smile just brighten your day?

So I was supposed to buy a few dresses, right? Well, I might as well set aside the money towards travel. Why? My friend Duni of Lovely Purses left a comment on that post:

"The style and fit is great, but the fabric is a bit flimsy - as I'm afraid most dresses from that company are. So choose wisely..."

So I decided to investigate! And the wonders of Internet sleuthing revealed these:






Sadly, the dresses do not look very good on real people. As you can tell from the photos above, the fabric is not nice, resulting to wrinkles, ill fit and a look that's generally, uh, cheap. Sad sad, but, Duni, thanks so much for warning me! I could've ended up with dresses that I'd never wear! And I hope you're recovering well and feeling better!

I'll definitely save the dress budget and use it for something really worth it. Like shoes. Or a bag. Or a trip with my family to somewhere far away. After all, with the new adorable addition, we're going to need extra moolah!

*photos from the fashion company's Facebook page.

Last week, Alvin passed by the office to get a bag of beauty products for his wife, my darling dearest friend Mariel. He's flying off to New York City to see her and I had to send Mariel some prettifiers. I should've included a heated blanket, too, since it'll be cold there but, hey, the newlyweds haven't seen each other in 4 months so I guess they won't need help in the heat department!

Mariel, your hubby's so cute. He's not a demonstrative kinda guy and I've never known him to be expressive, but when he was at the office, he just suddenly said, "I'm so excited. I haven't seen her in four months!"

Neighbor! I just melted for you!!!

I honestly don't know how you two do this long-distance relationship thing (remember that song I dedicated to you both?) but I know you'll be truly together one day soonest!

To my readers, see Mariel and Alvin's wedding in the current issue of Martha Stewart Weddings! And watch the beautiful video Pat Dy made for them here. Mariel's wedding is one of the loveliest weddings I've ever been to--made me cry. All the drama, the family stories, the old friends who flew in, the gorgeous weather, the romance, the style! Just the ingredients you need for a truly heartwarming wedding!  

My favorite feature in this month's InStyle is "Inside the Files of the Super Stylish." Eleven of the most chic people were asked this question: What should every woman have in her wardrobe? These were some of the answers:

"Great jewelry. It adds drama." 
Kelly Wearstler, interior designer
(I'm working on this! I think I'm turning into a jewelry girl!)

"A lightweight long-sleeve black cashmere crew-neck sweater." 
Michael Kors, fashion designer
(Though I balked at this item, a bit much especially in sweltering Manila,  sweaters like that do hide jiggly arms and make you look slimmer. A necessity indeed!)

"A black cocktail dress!" 
Nicole Richie, actress, novelist, designer
(I have half a dozen black dresses. Always chic!)

"A wrap dress!" 
Diane von Furstenberg, fashion, accessories and housewares designer
(I have one prized DVF wrap dress! I'd like more but they're so frakkin' expensive.)

"Hoop earrings in yellow gold." 
Margherita Missoni, actress, model
(Check!)

"A fabulous dress and gold shoes... Also invest in cashmere cardigans... in a rainbow of colors." 
Deborah Lloyd, co-president and creative directo of Kate Spde
(I have fabulous dresses and gold flats and sandals. I can't get myself to buy gold shoes yet. Seems matronly. I have cardigans in white, black and brown but they're not cashmere. Sigh.)

"A perfectly fitting pair of jeans."
Tory Burch, designer
(Before I got pregnant, my great love was Levi's Lady's Style jeans. Those sweethearts hugged my legs and butt lovingly. Now? I can't even squeeze into them! Weep!)

"A Burberry trench." 
Isabel Dupre celebrity stylist
(None yet. I had a Zara trench that I gave to my sister because I don't travel to cold countries so much. I don't think I'll buy a trench again. But I do have a lovely red wool coat!)

Much as I respect their suggestions, I must wonder about the absence of the style basics, like a sleek black stiletto, crisp white shirt, pearl necklace, diamond studs, sunglasses... I mean, really. Gold shoes? A trench coat? A crew-neck sweater? Nevertheless, the stylistas answered a ton of other questions about the stylish lifestyle and their answers proved to be very interesting. I'm sure my mod readers would find this article interesting, too!

Oh, and do grab this month's OK! magazine. It's our Fashion Issue! Our annual Hollywood's Best Dressed List is particularly exciting.